My brother’s frown deepened. “We have discussed these matters, Georgie. I am surprised you said nothing.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I am surprised the couple was able to elude the matrons.”
“Did anyone see Miss King arrive?” Captain Jacobs asked, but we all indicated we had not. “Perhaps he was able to draw her away before anyone was aware of her presence.”
“What of her companions?” Fitzwilliam asked, clearly doubtful anyone could be that unobservant of a young charge.
I could not help but raise my brow, shocked at his sudden naiveté. “She could easily have given some excuse, such as wishing to visit the retiring room, and sent them ahead.”
Elizabeth nodded and appeared about to voice her agreement when the musicians began tuning their instruments. “It appears the ball is recommencing.” She looked to the gentlemen as though determining what would be done now.
Sighing, Fitzwilliam glanced at the Captain. “We conducted a thorough search of the public rooms, but have not found him.”
“It is uncertain if he has remained.” The officer appeared thoughtful before turning suddenly to Elizabeth. “Have you seen Miss King at all this evening?”
Her jaw fell open slightly and her eyes took on a faraway look, as I had seen her do before when searching her memory. “I do not believe I have. Her mother was speaking to Lady Lucas and my mother before dinner; I assumed Miss King was dancing.”
The gentlemen exchanged a worried glance before Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Let us return to the ballroom and ascertain her whereabouts. Will you be able to find her in a crowd?”
“Most definitely, sir. She is exceedingly fair with vivid red hair. I am certain none would miss her.”
Fitzwilliam stopped in mid stride. “I believe I know of whom you speak.” His gaze fell upon me. “She cannot yet be my sister’s age.”
“I believe she has just celebrated her sixteenth summer. She and my youngest sisters are the same age.” Elizabeth followed his gaze and frowned. “Miss King, Lydia; it appears Mr. Wickham prefers to prey upon the young and inexperienced.”
For a moment, it felt as though a hand wrapped about my chest and it was difficult to take a deep breath. I felt the tears well up, but the thought of Miss King being drawn in by Mr. Wickham was enough for me to shake away the panic which threatened to overwhelm me. Mustering my strength, I straightened my back and lifted my chin.
“Fortunately he is unaware that we know of his duplicity.” I turned toward the gentlemen. “If Miss King is no longer at the ball, what can be done to find her?”
A look of admiration crossed my brother’s countenance before he replied. “I doubt Wickham is foolish enough to remove the girl from a public gathering. I suspect they have arranged to meet afterward or on a later date.”
Captain Jacobs frowned. “I would agree, but for the information I shared with you earlier, sir. It is probable he is looking for an immediate exit from Hertfordshire.”
“What information?” Elizabeth and I asked in unison.
The gentlemen looked at each other, a hint of amusement in their gaze, before Fitzwilliam shrugged and nodded.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam has had several individuals watching Mr. Wickham for some time. When they learned he joined the militia, your cousin arranged for me to be part of the training command. Earlier this week, it became apparent that Wickham had not changed his ways.” He frowned and glanced at Fitzwilliam once more.
“What has he done?” I asked coldly.
“Accumulated debts, as before; but … there is at least one merchant who is reporting a more serious transgression.”
My brow drew together in puzzlement until I saw Elizabeth’s blush. My eyes opened wide in shock. “He has …”
Fitzwilliam quickly interrupted. “I suggest we return to the ballroom before it is too crowded to locate Miss King easily.”
“I fear it may be too late.” Elizabeth tilted her head as the first notes of a dance began.
We turned as one toward the music and entered the ballroom. Fitzwilliam suggested we split up in search of the young girl. As only he and Elizabeth knew what she looked like, he took my arm while Elizabeth accompanied Captain Jacobs.
We circled the room in opposite directions until we met on the other side. None had seen the young lady. To be certain, we continued on our way, coming together once more at the doors where we began. Still no red haired lass had been sighted.
Rising up to her full height, Elizabeth scanned the crowd once more. “It appears Mrs. King is not in the room either.”
Suddenly hers eyes widened and I followed her gaze to see Mrs. Bennet speaking animatedly to Lady Lucas who simply shook her head, lips pursed in disapproval. As one, we began moving toward the matrons to learn what scandal had occurred in our absence.
“…such a sweet girl, but to act so irresponsibly …” Mrs. Bennet was saying as we approached.
“Mother, are you unwell?” Elizabeth asked, slightly out of breath from our dash across the room.
“Oh, Lizzy, it is such a scandal! Mary King has gone missing! She arrived with her mother, but cannot now be found. None remember seeing her at dinner.”
I asked breathlessly, “What is being done to locate her?”
Frowning, Lady Lucas responded, “Mrs. King has looked in all the public rooms and the retiring room. She has just gone to speak to Mr. Bingley.”
We turned in time to see Fitzwilliam and the Captain approaching, but moved past them in the direction we had last seen our host. The gentlemen followed behind.
Mr. Bingley was not easily located, and I quickly explained to my brother what we had learned. With a nod, he took my arm and turned me toward the hall. Once outside, in the relative quiet, he glanced about.
“Were I Bingley, with a house full of guests and one missing, I would take Mrs. King away from the others so as not to create a panic or unnecessary concern should it simply be a misunderstanding.” He led the way toward the study.
As we approached, we could hear weeping and a soft reassuring voice. Fitzwilliam knocked before opening the door and stepping inside. He held up a hand for the rest of us to remain in the hall as he closed the door behind him.
Though we did as he requested, Lizzy and I leaned closer to the door in hopes of hearing what was said. I noticed the Captain’s lip twitch as he watched me, and I straightened and turned away. Irritating man!
The door opened a moment later, and Fitzwilliam motioned Elizabeth and me into the room. “Please attend to Mrs. King. We will ask that you be brought tea while we do a thorough search for Miss King.”
With a puzzled expression, I nodded and took a seat beside the distraught woman. Have we not just searched? I watched as Elizabeth held Fitzwilliam’s gaze longer, her own eyes betraying the same question. He leaned forward and spoke softly with her before leaving the room with their host.
Elizabeth sat at Mrs. King’s other side and took her hand. “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy will leave no stone unturned to find Miss King. They shall search from the attic to the cellar and anywhere else she may be.”
“What could have become of her?” The woman wailed. “I cannot bear to lose her, not so soon after her father and then her grandfather. Oh, where can she be?”
“Hush now,” Elizabeth pressed a fresh handkerchief into Mrs. King’s hand. “Did Miss King say she was to meet anyone? Was she anticipating the dance for any particular reason?”
Taking a shuttering breath, the widow shook her head. “So many gentlemen have called recently. Mary is quite popular amongst them, you know. I am certain she shall marry ere long.”
“Were there any gentlemen who were more attentive than others?” I asked in a small voice.
“A few of the officers had spoken of dancing with her tonight.” Her tears began to flow freely once more. “Though she has disappeared before they could. Oh, if only we had not been late arriving!”
“Forgive me, I had not
realized.” Elizabeth tilted her head to the side and glanced at me. “Did something occur?”
“The carriage arrived later than planned. Mr. Wickham apologized for the inconvenience.”
“Mr. Wickham?” I leaned forward anxiously.
“Yes, he had offered to accompany us to the dance as it is only Mary and me now. My brother has business in Liverpool and has been unable to come to us.”
A knock at the door drew our attention and Elizabeth nodded for me to see to it. I opened the door to find the maid with a tea service. Motioning the servant into the room, I attempted to stay between her and the whimpering woman. The least amount of talk, the better. I thanked the girl and hurried her from the room before returning to pour tea for everyone.
With a cup in hand and clutching the least damp handkerchief, Mrs. King seemed to settle a bit. “Mr. Bingley will not let anything happen to my Mary, will he?”
“Of course not.” Elizabeth patted the widow’s shoulder reassuringly, though I saw the doubt in her eyes.
I glanced at the mantle clock and tried to determine how long Miss King had been missing. If the couple had been in the alcove, they had not left immediately upon arriving at the ball. Perhaps they had not gone far.
“Oh, I hope Mr. Bingley has found Mr. Wickham. He may know where my Mary is.” Mrs. King clutched her teacup.
“I am certain the gentlemen are searching for him.” Elizabeth sipped her own tea, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes.
I stared at the older woman, a sense of disbelief settling about me. Was it not obvious that Mr. Wickham was at the centre of the girl’s disappearance? I was about to speak when the door opened and Mr. Bingley stepped into the room.
“Mary? Have you found my Mary?” Mrs. King jumped from her seat.
Bowing, Mr. Bingley begged her forgiveness. “I fear we have not, but Mr. Darcy and Captain Jacobs have not given up hope. Miss Elizabeth, may I have a word with you?”
Mrs. King collapsed back onto the settee, weeping uncontrollably. Elizabeth hesitated, but I waved her away as I consoled the older woman.
“Hush now, Mrs. King. My brother and the Captain will certainly find Miss King. They are the best of men.”
The woman turned to lay her head on my shoulder, her tears unabated. By the time Elizabeth returned, without Mr. Bingley, my bodice felt as though it was wet through and through.
“Mrs. King,” Elizabeth eased the woman from my embrace and handed her a serviette from the tea tray. “Mr. Bingley was simply looking for my father in hopes he may be of assistance. Please, try not to upset yourself so.”
Taking up the widow’s teacup, Elizabeth refilled it. I noticed she added something to the tea before handing the cup to the woman and urging her to drink it. Within a few minutes, the woman began to quiet, and shortly after that she drifted off to sleep.
“Laudanum,” Elizabeth said before I had a chance to ask. “She was about to work herself into a full attack of hysterics.”
“About? I fear she already had.” I took up a serviette and wiped at my tear stained dress. “Why did Mr. Bingley want to speak to your father?”
“The gentlemen are hoping Lydia will know where Mr. Wickham and Miss King have gone.” Elizabeth chewed lightly on her lip. “I only hope she cooperates and tells them what she knows. I suggested they point out that Mr. Wickham deserted her for Miss King. If she is angry enough, she may tell them everything.”
I sat quietly, deep in thought. “Could Lydia have been acting like Mrs. Younge when she encouraged my attachment to Mr. Wickham?”
Elizabeth stared at me, her brow drawn together in deep thought. “I had not thought of it before. Why did Mrs. Younge assist Mr. Wickham? What would she hope to accomplish? I realize, of course, that Mr. Wickham would have access to your dowry; but how would that be of benefit to her?”
“Afterward, when I thought back on our meetings, I began to believe Mrs. Younge was in love with Mr. Wickham. The way she looked at him, as though she did not want to look away. She was always praising him and telling me what a wonderful man he was.” I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks as I remembered a particularly uncomfortable conversation with my former companion. “She suggested he would be a caring lover.”
“Do you believe she and he … they …?” Elizabeth cleared her throat, but did not finish her question.
Shrugging my shoulders, I shook my head. “I did not think of it at the time; but now, in hindsight and knowing what I do of him, I believe they had been intimate.” The warmth in my countenance began to feel as though I stood before a blazing fire.
Elizabeth shivered and looked back to the older woman, whose mouth had fallen open releasing a most unladylike snore. “I suppose we should make her more comfortable.”
The distraction of adjusting Mrs. King’s posture, placing a pillow beneath her head, and raising her feet helped me dispel the images that had entered my mind. We moved the tea things back to the tray and sat quietly, waiting for one of the men to return with news. We remained comfortable in each other’s company so that no conversation was necessary. After a few minutes in this posture, I began to feel the effects of not resting earlier in the day and my eyes grew heavy.
Chapter Seventeen
There were voices, whispers actually, but I could not make out what was being said. With great difficulty, I opened my eyes. Mrs. King still slept on the lounge beside me, but Elizabeth was no longer on the other side. Glancing about, I found her across the room in a tête-à-tête with her sister, Jane.
I opened my mouth, but only a soft croaking sound escaped. Clearing my throat, I tried once more. “What time is it?”
The sisters jumped at the sound and turned toward the lounge. Relief was clear in Elizabeth’s eyes when she determined Mrs. King had not awakened.
“It is quite early in the morning, Georgie. Would you like to seek your bed?”
“No,” I shook my head, coming more fully awake each minute. “Have the men returned?” I asked over a yawn.
The sisters exchanged a glance, but shook their heads.
“Have you heard whether Lydia was of any assistance?”
Once again a look passed quickly between Jane and Elizabeth before they glanced at Mrs. King. Finally, when I was becoming a bit upset at their reluctance to speak, Elizabeth stepped closer to me.
“We are hoping Lydia is with them.”
“I beg your pardon? Why?” I sat forward, now filled with alarm.
“Papa did return and told us Lydia was no longer at Longbourn. Apparently, she pretended to be sleeping and, when Mrs. Hill left the room for a moment, she slipped away.”
“And her being with Mr. Wickham and Miss King would be a good thing?” I rubbed my eyes in a weak attempt to clear my mind as well as my vision.
“Do you not see?” Elizabeth glanced once more in Mrs. King’s direction and lowered her voice further. “If they are both with Mr. Wickham, they may not be considered ruined.”
“But where are they?”
“The gentlemen are searching for them now. Mr. Bingley … he remained behind as he was the host of the ball and it would appear odd should he be gone. He told Jane that Mr. Darcy has ridden towards Clapham hoping to intercept them on the way to Scotland while Captain Jacobs returned to London in order to inform your cousin and gather assistance.”
I sat back and shook my head. “I fear your hope is in vain. Has there not already been gossip? Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas were speaking of it in the ballroom last evening.”
Surprisingly, Jane and Elizabeth smiled before the eldest responded. “When Mr. Bingley explained what had occurred to Papa, he spoke to Mama before leaving for Longbourn. Within a few moments, the word circulated the room that all was well and Mrs. King had taken her daughter home.”
Turning first to look at the inert form beside me, I returned my gaze to the sisters.
“Everyone has left now,” Elizabeth replied to the unspoken question. “No one knows she is here but us.”
“But what will occur if someone takes it upon themselves to visit the Kings today? I am certain people are curious and will want to know why Miss King disappeared from the ball.” I closed my eyes and rubbed the spot between my brows. I was surprised the Bennets would be so slow to see the danger of this deceit unravelling.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Georgie, the ball went very late. Though people will visit to discuss the event, it will be later in the day.”
“And what of Mrs. King’s servants? Will they not dispel the belief that Mrs. King arrived home last night with Miss King?”
“It would not be the first time my mother has gotten a story wrong. That is the problem with gossips, you know, they do not usually have all the facts.” Taking my hand, Elizabeth knelt by my side. “We can only pray your brother and the Captain are able to find them quickly. If Miss King is returned unharmed, there will be nothing to conceal.”
Jane perched on the edge of the nearest chair. “Papa has sent an express to Mrs. King’s brother making him aware of the situation. I am certain he will arrive as soon as possible.”
Once again, my eyes travelled to the woman beside me. “And what of Mrs. King? We cannot keep her sedated until her daughter is found.”
The look which crossed Elizabeth’s countenance clearly questioned why we could not do that very thing.
“Will no one come looking for her?” I asked in exasperation.
“I believe you should go to your room and rest,” Elizabeth said softly as she stood. “There is no need for you to become upset by this. I promised your brother I would look after you.”
“That is what he said.” My eyes fell to my lap. “I wondered what he told you. Does he believe I am ill-equipped to handle such a situation?”
Dropping onto her knees, Elizabeth took my hands in her own and forced me to meet her gaze. “No! He was concerned you would see too much of your own situation in Miss King’s. He asked me to stay with you and see to your needs.”
“It could have been me.” My voice sounded small, even to me.
“But it was not,” Elizabeth replied with determination.
Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker Page 16
